Former Broomfield High School wrestling coach Travis Masse arrested over student sex allegations

Former Broomfield High School wrestling coach Travis Masse, pictured hoisting the 2009 Class 4A state wrestling trophy, was arrested Tuesday on allegations of having a sexual relationship with a student in the 2008-2009 school year.
David R. Jennings/Broomfield Enterprise library
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DAVID JENNINGS
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Travis Masse's Broomfield County jail booking photo.

A former Broomfield High School wrestling coach and teacher was arrested Tuesday for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student.

Travis Masse, 28, was charged with sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual assault on a child with a pattern of abuse. Both are class 3 felonies.

Masse was arrested and taken to the Broomfield County Jail. He was released Tuesday on a $20,000 bond.

The investigation of Masse began in April, after Broomfield police received a report of him having an inappropriate relationship with a student in the 2008-2009 school year, according to a news release from the 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Masse resigned from Broomfield High in February. In 2008-09 he coached the school's Class 4A state championship wrestling team and was named Colorado wrestling coach of the year.

Broomfield police and the District Attorney's Office were tightlipped on the matter Wednesday. District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Krista Flannigan cited a desire to limit pretrial publicity as cause for the lack of details. Flannigan did clarify the charges relate to multiple incidents with a single victim.

The arrest affidavit was not available Wednesday afternoon, as court officials said they needed time to redact the name of the alleged victim. The redacted record will be public record.

Broomfield High School principal Ginger Ramsey sent a message to parents Wednesday afternoon explaining that a former teacher and coach was arrested “for alleged criminal contact with students.” The letters gave few details, citing the ongoing investigation.

“Please know that, as (Boulder Valley School District) administration and I have stated many times, nothing is more important to the district and Broomfield High staff than the physical safety and emotional well being of each of our students,” Ramsey wrote to parents.

The e-mail encouraged students and parents to contact school administration or counselors if they had further concerns or general questions about school policy.

Word about the arrest had filtered down to students by Wednesday afternoon. Some were surprised by the arrest.

“He was a cool guy, and a good teacher,” said Anthony Spann, a junior who was in one of Masse's history classes. “We never saw anything inappropriate.”

Other students felt differently.

“We all knew it was happening. All the wrestlers at least,” said a student who did not wish to be identified.

In April, a Denver TV station ran a story alleging Masse sent inappropriate text messages to an unidentified 16-year-old. The source of the story was an anonymous 18-year-old student, who claimed to be the 16-year-old's ex-boyfriend. Broomfield police confirmed at the time they were investigating inappropriate texts, but did not name Masse as the focus of the probe.

Masse resigned from the school in February, but he stopped teaching there months prior, students said.

Masse did not coach the wrestling team this season.

In October, the school sent a letter to parents acknowledging “rumors about an investigation involving a member of the Broomfield High School staff.” The letter, signed by Ramsey, explained a staff member was put on paid administrative leave and that the Broomfield Police Department was investigating.

Police on Wednesday said the October letter was about a separate investigation and did not confirm or deny Masse was the subject.

Masse is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing at 1:30 p.m. June 17.

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